EFSC - Enterprise Financial Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

Fourth Quarter Results

• Net income of $50.8 million, or $1.33 per diluted share
• Completed systems integration of First Choice Bancorp (“First Choice” or “FCBP”)
• Return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.52%; Pre-Provision Net Revenue (“PPNR”) ROAA ¹ of 1.89%
• Redeemed $50.0 million subordinated debentures, issued $75.0 million preferred stock, and repurchased 577,478 shares of common stock

2021 Results

• Closed the acquisition of First Choice, adding approximately $2.3 billion in assets and approximately $1.9 billion in both loans and deposits
• Net income of $133.1 million, or $3.86 per diluted share
• ROAA of 1.16%; PPNR ROAA ¹ of 1.81%
• Repurchased 1,299,527 shares and increased annual dividend 4%

Enterprise Financial Services Corp ( Nasdaq: EFSC ) (the “Company” or “EFSC”) reported net income of $50.8 million for the fourth quarter 2021, an increase of $36.9 million and $21.9 million compared to the linked third quarter (“linked quarter”) and prior year quarter, respectively. Earnings per diluted share (“EPS”) were $1.33 for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $0.38 and $1.00 for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

Jim Lally, EFSC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The success we had in 2021 is a testament to the strength of our strategically diversified revenue streams. We have structured our lending and deposit niches, geographic footprints, and fee-based sources to drive growth. These efforts resulted in a record fourth quarter in terms of both revenue and earnings, as well as a return on assets of 1.52%. With our variable-rate loan portfolio and strong noninterest-bearing deposit base, we believe we are well-positioned for the future, including for possible interest rate increases. As we move into 2022, we will leverage our guiding principles and continue to focus on creating profitable growth and increased shareholder value.”

The Company closed its acquisition of First Choice on July 21, 2021. The results of operations of First Choice are included in our consolidated results from this date forward and are excluded from preceding periods. Comparisons to the prior year are also impacted by the acquisition of Seacoast Commerce Banc Holdings (“Seacoast”), which closed in the fourth quarter 2020. The acquisition of First Choice in 2021 represents the fourth acquisition the Company has completed in the last five years.

Pretax income and earnings per share were impacted by the following items:

Full-Year Highlights

For 2021, net income was $133.1 million, or $3.86 per diluted share, compared to $74.4 million, or $2.76 per diluted share, in 2020. PPNR ¹ for the current year was $207.5 million, compared to $161.5 million in 2020. In addition to organic growth, contributing to the PPNR increase in 2021 was a full year of Seacoast operations and a partial year of First Choice operations.

The Company strengthened its liquidity and capital position in the fourth quarter 2021 through the issuance of $75.0 million of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and the redemption of $50.0 million of subordinated debentures issued in 2016 at 4.75%. In 2021, the Company returned $86.8 million to shareholders through dividends of $26.2 million, or $0.75 per share, and share repurchases of $60.6 million. In addition, the Company issued approximately 7.8 million shares of its common stock valued at $343.7 million to First Choice shareholders upon consummation of the acquisition.

Credit quality remained strong, with nonperforming assets declining to 0.23% of total assets, from 0.45% at the end of 2020. Net charge-offs were 0.14% of average loans in 2021, compared to 0.03% in 2020. The improvements in credit quality and economic forecasts resulted in the allowance for credit losses declining to 1.61% of total loans at the end of 2021, from 1.89% at the end of 2020. Excluding guaranteed portions of loans, which includes Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, our coverage ratio was 1.84% and 2.31% at the end of 2021 and 2020, respectively. The provision for credit losses was $13.4 million in 2021, compared to $65.4 million in 2020. Acquisition-related provision expense of $25.4 million and $8.6 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, was included in the provision for credit losses. This expense, commonly referred to as the “CECL double-count”, is recognized when a loan portfolio is acquired.

Noninterest income increased 24% in 2021, while expenses remained well-controlled with a core efficiency ratio ² of 51.61%, compared to 50.96% in 2020. The Company commenced the process in 2021 to close five branch locations in California and St. Louis. A lease and fixed asset impairment charge of $3.8 million was recognized, including $0.4 million reported in merger-related expenses. The Company expects to realize annual cost savings of approximately $2.3 million related to these closures.

¹ PPNR and PPNR ROAA are non-GAAP measures. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.

² Core efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of this measure in the accompanying financial tables.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Earnings - Net income in the fourth quarter 2021 was $50.8 million, an increase of $36.9 million compared to the linked quarter and an increase of $21.9 million from the prior year quarter. EPS was $1.33 per diluted share for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $0.38 and $1.00 per diluted share for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. Merger and branch closure expenses totaled $2.3 million, $18.1 million, and $2.6 million in the current, linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Pre-provision net revenue - PPNR ¹ of $63.3 million in the fourth quarter 2021 increased $7.2 million and $15.8 million from the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Net interest income and net interest margin (“NIM”) - Net interest income of $102.1 million for the fourth quarter 2021 increased $4.8 million and $24.6 million from the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. NIM was 3.32% for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to 3.40% and 3.66% for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Noninterest income - Noninterest income of $22.6 million for the fourth quarter 2021 increased $5.0 million and $4.1 million from the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Loans - Total loans declined $98.9 million from the linked quarter to $9.0 billion as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to a $167.0 million decline in PPP loans. Average loans totaled $9.0 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to $8.7 billion and $6.8 billion for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Asset quality - The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.61% at December 31, 2021, compared to 1.67% at September 30, 2021, and 1.89% at December 31, 2020. Nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.23% at December 31, 2021 compared to 0.35% and 0.45% at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

• Deposits - Total deposits increased $516.0 million from the linked quarter to $11.3 billion as of December 31, 2021. Average deposits totaled $11.2 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to $10.3 billion and $7.3 billion for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. Noninterest deposit accounts represented 40.4% of total deposits at December 31, 2021, and the loan to deposit ratio was 79.5% at that date.

• Capital - Total shareholders’ equity was $1.5 billion and the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio ³ was 8.1% at December 31, 2021, compared to $1.4 billion and 8.4% at September 30, 2021. Shareholder’s equity increased in the fourth quarter 2021 from the issuance of $72.0 million of preferred stock, net of issuance costs, and net income of $50.8 million. These increases were offset by share repurchases of $27.5 million, dividends of $7.6 million, and a $1.1 million decline in accumulated comprehensive income. Enterprise Bank & Trust’s estimated regulatory capital ratios remain “well-capitalized,” with a common equity tier 1 ratio of 12.5% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 13.5% as of December 31, 2021. In addition, the consolidated Company’s common equity tier 1 ratio and total risk-based capital ratio was 11.3% and 14.7%, respectively, at December 31, 2021.

The Company has 700,473 shares available for repurchase under the existing common stock repurchase authorization. The Company repurchased 577,478 shares totaling $27.5 million in the fourth quarter 2021 for an average price of $47.65. Total shares repurchased year-to-date total 1,299,527 at an average price of $46.62.

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.21 per common share, payable on March 31, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2022. The Board of Directors also declared a cash dividend of $16.38888889 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (or $0.40972222 per depositary share) representing a 5% per annum rate for the period commencing (and including) November 17, 2021 to (but excluding) March 15, 2022. The dividend will be payable on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2022.

³ Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of this measure in the accompanying financial tables.

Net Interest Income

Average Balance Sheet

The following tables present, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter 2021 increased $4.8 million to $102.1 million from $97.3 million in the linked quarter, and increased $24.6 million from the prior year period. NIM, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.32% for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to 3.40% in the linked quarter, and 3.66% in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in net interest income from the linked quarter was primarily due to a full quarter of income on acquired First Choice assets, higher income from an expanded investment portfolio and lower interest expense from the redemption of the $50.0 million of subordinated debentures. PPP fee income of $4.9 million, $6.0 million and $10.3 million was included in net interest income for the current, linked and prior year quarters, respectively. The level of PPP income has declined each quarter in 2021 as the portfolio winds down.

NIM decreased 8 basis points from the linked quarter to 3.32% during the current quarter primarily due to a 10 basis point decrease in earning asset yields, offset by a four basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Average short-term investments, comprised primarily of interest-bearing cash accounts, increased $337.0 million to $1.6 billion for the fourth quarter 2021 and was the primary reason for the decline in earning asset yields. PPP income continued to benefit net interest income and margin in the fourth quarter 2021, but at a reduced level from both the linked and prior year quarters.

The Company has an asset-sensitive balance sheet, with 63% of loans tied to a variable rate index and 40.4% of the deposit portfolio in noninterest-bearing demand accounts. Approximately $3.2 billion of loans at December 31, 2021 had an interest rate floor and 95% of those loans were at the floor rate. The Company has hedged the majority of its variable rate debt and should not recognize a significant increase in interest expense on these borrowings if interest rates increase.

Loans

The following table presents total loans for the most recent five quarters.

Loans totaled $9.0 billion at December 31, 2021, decreasing $98.9 million compared to the linked quarter, primarily due to a decline in PPP loans of $167.0 million. Excluding PPP loans, loans increased $68.1 million, or 3.1% annualized, from the linked quarter. A high level of paydowns muted loan originations in the fourth quarter. Year-over-year, loans grew $1.8 billion from $7.2 billion as of December 31, 2020 due to the First Choice acquisition, partially offset by a $426.7 million decline in PPP loans. Excluding PPP loans and the impact of our First Choice acquisition, loans increased $553.6 million, or 8.5%, from the prior year quarter. For the quarter ended December 31, 2021 average line draw utilization was 39.9% compared to 38.2% and 38.1% in the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

Asset Quality

The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and related ratios for the most recent five quarters.

Nonperforming assets decreased $13.5 million to $31.5 million at December 31, 2021 from $45.0 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease was primarily from principal payments and a $3.5 million charge-off on an agricultural loan that went on nonaccrual in a prior period.

The Company recorded a provision benefit of $3.7 million for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to a provision for credit losses of $19.7 million for the linked quarter and $9.5 million for the prior year quarter. The provision for credit losses for the linked and prior year quarters included the establishment of a reserve for the First Choice and Seacoast acquired loan portfolios of $25.4 million and $8.6 million, respectively.

Deposits

The following table presents total deposits for the most recent five quarters.

Total deposits at December 31, 2021 were $11.3 billion, an increase of $0.5 billion from September 30, 2021, and an increase of $3.4 billion from December 31, 2020. The increase from the linked quarter was primarily due to specialty deposits, which increased $350.7 million. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the First Choice acquisition and the high level of liquidity in the economy.

Core deposits, defined as total deposits excluding time deposits, were $10.7 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $534.9 million from the linked quarter, and an increase of $3.3 billion from the prior year period. Noninterest-bearing deposits were $4.6 billion at December 31, 2021, and represented 40% of total deposits at that date. The total cost of deposits was 0.10% for the current quarter compared to 0.11% and 0.17% for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

Noninterest Income

The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

Total noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2021 was $22.6 million, an increase of $5.0 million from the linked quarter and an increase of $4.1 million from the prior year quarter. The increase from the linked quarter was primarily due to seasonally strong tax credit activity and fees earned on community development investments. Deposit service charges declined from the linked quarter primarily due to a fee waiver provided to First Choice customers during the core conversion process. Additionally, servicing income (included in miscellaneous income) declined $0.6 million from the linked quarter due to accelerated paydowns.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expense was $63.7 million for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $76.9 million for the linked quarter, and $51.1 million for the fourth quarter 2020. The decrease from the linked quarter was primarily due to a $15.8 million decrease in merger expenses and branch impairment charges. The increase from the prior year quarter is due to the acquisitions of First Choice and Seacoast, partially offset by swap termination charges of $3.2 million that were recognized in the fourth quarter 2020.

For the fourth quarter 2021, the Company’s efficiency ratio was 51.1% compared to 66.9% and 53.2% for the linked quarter and prior year quarter, respectively. The Company’s core efficiency ratio ² was 49.2% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to 51.3% for the linked quarter and 50.9% for the prior year quarter.

² Core efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of this measure in the accompanying financial tables.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 21% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 24% in the linked quarter and 18% in the prior year quarter. The Company’s blended tax rate increased to 25.2% in 2021 from 24.9%, in 2020 due to its expanded geographic footprint and the related state apportionment.

Capital

The following table presents various EFSC capital ratios:

Total equity was $1.5 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $89.5 million from September 30, 2021. The Company issued and sold 3,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of 5% noncumulative, perpetual preferred stock totaling $72.0 million, net of issuance costs, in the fourth quarter 2021. The Company’s tangible common book value per share was $28.28, up 3.3% and 11.0% from the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as tangible common equity, PPNR, PPNR ROAA, financial metrics adjusted for PPP impact, core efficiency ratio, and the tangible common equity ratio, in this release that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

The Company considers its tangible common equity, PPNR, PPNR ROAA, financial metrics adjusted for PPP impact, core efficiency ratio, and the tangible common equity ratio, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this earnings release and the included tables as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items, such as merger-related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.

The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. In the attached tables, the Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measures for the periods indicated.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. During the call, management will review the fourth quarter and full year of 2021 results and related matters. This press release as well as a related slide presentation will be accessible on the Company’s website at www.enterprisebank.com under “Investor Relations” beginning prior to the scheduled broadcast of the conference call. The call can be accessed via this same website page, or via telephone at 1-888-394-8218 (Conference ID #6577620). A recorded replay of the conference call will be available on the website two hours after the call’s completion. Visit https://bit.ly/EFSC4Q2021 and register to receive a dial-in number, passcode, and pin number. The replay will be available for approximately two weeks following the conference call.

About Enterprise Financial Services Corp

Enterprise Financial Services Corp (Nasdaq: EFSC), with approximately $13.5 billion in assets, is a financial holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Bank & Trust, a Missouri state-chartered trust company with banking powers and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EFSC, operates branch offices in Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, and New Mexico, and SBA loan and deposit production offices throughout the country. Enterprise Bank & Trust offers a range of business and personal banking services and wealth management services. Enterprise Trust, a division of Enterprise Bank & Trust, provides financial planning, estate planning, investment management and trust services to businesses, individuals, institutions, retirement plans and non-profit organizations. Additional information is available at www.enterprisebank.com .

Enterprise Financial Services Corp’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “EFSC.” Please visit our website at www.enterprisebank.com to see our regularly posted material information.

Forward-looking Statements

Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including, without limitation, plans, strategies and goals, and statements about the Company’s expectations regarding revenue and asset growth, financial performance and profitability, loan and deposit growth, yields and returns, loan diversification and credit management, shareholder value creation and the impact of the First Choice acquisition and other acquisitions.

Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “pro forma” and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions, including the First Choice acquisition, into its operations, retain the customers of these businesses and grow the acquired operations, as well as credit risk, changes in the appraised valuation of real estate securing impaired loans, outcomes of litigation and other contingencies, exposure to general and local economic conditions, risks associated with rapid increases or decreases in prevailing interest rates, consolidation in the banking industry, competition from banks and other financial institutions, the Company’s ability to attract and retain relationship officers and other key personnel, burdens imposed by federal and state regulation, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards, changes in the method of determining LIBOR and the phase-out of LIBOR, natural disasters, war or terrorist activities, or pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and their effects on economic and business environments in which we operate including the ongoing disruption to the financial market and other economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and those factors and risks referenced from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company's other filings with the SEC. For any forward-looking statements made in this press release or in any documents, EFSC claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, EFSC disclaims any obligation to revise or publicly release any revision or update to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.